Low pressure dispensing container



June 28, 1966 E, Y RU LOW PRESSURE DISPENSING CONTAINER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 4, 1964 FIG.|

ATTORNEYS June 28, 1966 E, Y BRUSH 3,258,163

LOW PRESSURE DISPENSING CONTAINER Filed Aug. 4, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.4

FIG-.5

INVENTOR. ELIZABETH Y. BRUSH ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,258,163 LOW PRESSURE DISPENSING CONTAINER Elizabeth Y. Brush, Coral Gables, Fla, assignor to Edward E. Brush, Coral Gables, Fla, and Evelyn S. Levinson, Miami, Fla.

Filed Aug. 4, 1964, Ser. No. 387,397 9 Claims. (Cl. 22252) This invention relates to dispensing containers of the gas propelled type, and more particularly to an inexpensive, expendable container operating at low pressure.

There is a need for 12, 16 or even 32 ounce disposable containers to merchandise and dispense air (and/ or humidity) sensitive liquids without mixture with air. Aerosol cans are known, but I believe it is sometimes desirable to use inert propellant pressure in order to produce a gentle, controlled flow without atomization, spray or foaming.

Hair color, permanent wave lotion, food products such as mustard, mayonnaise, and citrus derivatives, are examples of liquids which are sensitive to air, and which can be merchandised better in a nitrogen gas propelled dispensing container operating at a constant low dispensing pressure (say three to ten pounds per square inch). This is also true for certain chemicals. Nitrogen prevents destructive oxidation of such chemicals, and preserves food flavor.

Hair color, for example, is now sold in small two ounce glass bottles for a single treatment, because once a bottle is opened it immediately begins to deteriorate by oxidation. To blend colors several bottles must be opened, with obvious waste. A bulk container with inert atmosphere, and with ability to dispense a small quantity without air entry, would be useful to hair color manufacturers and their customers.

The general object of the present invention is to provide an improved dispensing container. A more particular object is to provide a container which operates with an inert gas at a low pressure, preferably nitrogen, to fulfill the needs described above.

To maintain the low pressure supply of nitrogen a small reservoir of high pressure nitrogen is provided, with a pressure reducing or regulator valve therebetween, so as to replenish the supply of low pressure nitrogen when needed. Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved simplified pressure regulator which requires no resilient metal spring in its structure. A further object is to provided a simplified, improved, and economical assembly of high and low pressure containers. Still another object is to facilitate charging the high pressure chamber with its reserve supply of nitrogen, after the container has been loaded in a low pressure nitrogen atomsphere with the substance to be dispensed.

In some cases it may be desirable to shield the pressure regulator from contact with the substance being packaged, and another object of the present invention is to provide a suitably housed regulator for that purpose. Still another object is to device the improved regulator in several usable forms.

To accomplish the foregoing generally objects and a other more specific objects which will hereinafter appear,

my invention resides in the dispensing container elements and their relation one to another, as are hereinafter more particular described in the following specification. The specification is accompanied by drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a vertical section through a container embodying features of my invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial horizontal section, taken approximately in the plane of the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary vertical section like FIG. 1, but showing a modification in which the pressure regulator is housed against contact with the packaged substance;

3,258,163 Patented June 28, 1966 FIG. 4 shows a modified pressure regulator in which the air spring is direct acting;

FIG. 5 is a vertical section taken approximately on the line 5-5 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary section of a modification.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS 1 and 2, the container comprises a main compartment 12 for the substance to be dispensed (not shown), and a smaller gas compartment 14 for -a propellant .gas, typically and usually nitrogen. The compartment 14 is secured in the main compartment, with the top 16 of the gas compartment acting also as the bottom of the main compartment. There is a dispensing valve 18 and spout 20 at the top of the main compartment. These are not described in detail, and may be of conventional construction selected to fit the packaged substance. A dip tube 22 extends downward as usual from the valve 1 8, in this case to the top 16 of the gas compartment 14. A pressure reducing valve or regulator, generally designated 24, is secured on the top 16 of the gas compartment 14, and is so arranged that a decrease of pressure in the main compartment 12, below a desired low dispensing pressure, causes opening of the valve 24 with consequent transfer of some of the reserve gas from the high pressure gas compartment 14 to the low pressure main compartment 12.

The pressure reducing regulator 24 is springless, that is, it employe no resilient metal spring. It comprises a valve seat 26, and a valve 28 which most simple takes the form of a poppet valve. There is a small sealed air chamber 30, and a flexible diaphragm 32 which is sealed to the top of the chamber 30. The diaphragm 32 is exposed to the main compartment 12, and is so related or connected to the valve 28 that a decrease of pressure in compartment 12 causes expansion -or lifting of diaphragm 32, which permits opening of valve 28. In effect, sealed chamber 30 acts as an air spring.

In the particular form shown, the diaphragm 32 carries the end 34 of a lever which is pivoted at its other end 36. The middle part of the lever is disposed directly on the valve 28. The valve opens upwardly, it being located by a valve stem 40 which fits loosely in passage 42. Alternatively the stem may be fluted for free gas flow.

In most convenient form the diaphragm 32 is sealed to the top of chamber 30 at atmospheric pressure. The diaphragm later assumes a somewhat lower position when compartment 12 has the desired dispensing pressure, which may range from say three to ten p.s.i. depending'on the particular material being dispensed. The valve parts are so dimensioned and related that the poppet valve then is held closed, but when the pressure in compartment 12 lessens, the diaphragm rises somewhat, to permit opening of valve 28 to replenish the nitrogen in compartment 12.

Diaphragm 32 is a flexible diaphragm, but in preferred form its circular middle area is relatively stifl so that it moves up and down with a kind of piston-like action. The peripheral portion 44 is thin and flexible, and is reversely folded for increased yieldability. The yoke or loop 46 which receives the end 34 of the lever may be molded integrally with the diaphragm, or may be secured thereto by a cement or adhesive.

Most of the valve may be molded out of a single body of plastics material. This includes the chamber30, the center bushing 48, the extension 50, and the fulcrum 52. The lever 34 also may be molded out of a plastics matetrial, and may be inserted in the fulcrum 52 with a snap fit. The lower part of bushing 48 may be expanded and sealed to the top 16, as shown at 54. The diaphragm may be sealed to chamber 30 by heat sealing at the periphery 56. Adhesive also may be used in both cases.

The container may be filled in inverted condition with the bottom open, as is frequently done in container manufacture. It may be surrounded by an inert or nitrogen atomsphere, and is sealed by a peripheral seam indicated at 58. The same or a subsequent can seaming operation may be employed to apply the bottom wall 60. The gas compartment 14 then may have a nitrogen atmosphere, but only at atmospheric pressure. However the bottom 60 includes a rubber charging gland 62, and later a charging needle may be pushed through the gland 62 to supply nitrogen under high pressure. The gland 62 is self-sealing when the needle is withdrawn.

In some cases it may be desired to protect the pressure regulator from contact with the substance in the container. Such an arrangement is shown in FIG. 3, which is a section like FIG. 1 and which employs a pressure regulator like that shown in FIG. 1. An inverted cup-shaped housing 64 encloses the pressure regulator, and may be sealed to top 16 by means of a flange 66. The top of housing 64 is itself provided with a check valve 68. In the form illustr-ated, this is a flexible disc flanged at 70, and provided with a stem 72 receiving a bowed retainer strip 74. The stem passes through an oversized opening 76. It will be evident that when the pressure regulator 24 opens, the received gas may flow upward through the check valve 68, but that the substance in the upper compartment cannot flow downward through the check valve. Briefly, the check valve 68 permits upward but prevents downward flow.

The springless pressure regulator need not necessarily employ a lever system as so far shown, and a direct acting arrangement is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawing. In this case the air chamber 80 with sealed flexible diaphragm 82 is inverted, and is supported above a poppet valve 84 by means of spaced support arms 86. These may be formed integrally with a bottom bushing which passes through, and is sealed as shown at 88, to the top 16 of the gas compartment. Valve 84 has a stem 90, the upper end of which is enlarged and received with a snap fit in stud 92 of diaphragm 82. The stud 92 is shown integral, but it could be cemented to the diaphragm. Stem 90 passes through an oversized hole for free gas flow.

As before, the chamber 80 may be sealed with air at atmospheric pressure, and the dimensioning and disposition of the parts is such that the valve 84 is closed when the pressure in the upper compartment, to which the diaphragm 82 is exposed, is at desired value. However, when the low dispensing pressure falls below a desired value,

the consequent downward movement of the diaphragm 82 lowers the valve 84, thereby permitting replenishment of nitrogen (or other inert gas) from the gas compartment to the main compartment of thecontainer. As the desired dispensing pressure is reached the diaphragm rises and the valve is closed. The reserve pressure helps keep it closed, and therefore the diaphragm area must be sufliciently greater than the valve area to be able to open the valve.

The materials used for the described container may be selected to fit the particular use or substance being packaged. In one particular case the diaphragm was molded out of polyurethane. The air chamber which is sealed by the diaphragm may be made of an acrylic resin or a vinyl resin or phenolic resin, or other suitable plastic. A thermoplastic material has the advantage that it may be heat-sealed to the diaphragm and to the top of the gas container. A thermosetting plastic would require the use of a cement such as an epoxy adhesive. In either case the seal should be leak proof. The gland 62 at the bottom of the gas container may be made of a natural or synthetic rubber. The sheet metal of the container could be tin plated thin sheet steel, but in many applications preferably would be made of aluminum. This would apply to hair color, for example, which is corrosive. The metal need not be thick because the pressures are low, particularly in the main container. The gas container is reinforced because it is surrounded by the outer container. The bottom seam may diifer, depending on the met-a1 used; the closing machine available; and whether or not a latex sealant is to be used, or solder, or welding. A modified seam is shown in FIG. 6, but the invention contemplates that any known techniques may be employed.

The dimensions may vary widely, inasmuch as the container may be made in diflerent sizes, typically twelve ounce or sixteen ounce, or in special cases, even thirty-two ounce capacity. In one particular case, the container was three inches in diameter and six inches high. The dispensing pressure was three p.s.i., and the initial reserve pressure was forty p.s.i., using nitrogen. The flexible diaphragm was one inch in diameter, and the valve was one-quarter inch in diameter. The effective beam length was approximately two inches, and the valve gap when open, or differently expressed, the gap which would exist between the lever and the poppet valve in rest position and at atmospheric pressure, was about 0.025 inch.

It is believed that the construction and operation of my improved low pressure dispensing container, as well as the advantages thereof, will be apparent from the foregoing detailed description. The use of an air chamber or air spring simplifies and reduces the cost of the structure, and avoids the problem of possible attack on resilient metal by the packaged material. The container may be used to dispense air sensitive liquids with a gentle controlled flow, and without the atomization, or foaming, or spray effect associated with the usual aerosol container. The dispenser may be used not only for thin liquids, but also for a thick material such as mayonnaise or mustard.

It will be apparent that while I have shown and described the invention in several preferred forms, changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as sought to be defined in the following claims.

In the claims the dispensing valve is called a dispenser, in order to avoid possible confusion with the valve of the regulator.

I claim:

1. An expendable low pressure dispensing container comprising a main compartment for the substance to be dispensed, a smaller gas compartment for a propellant gas secured in the lower end of said main compartment, with the top of said gas compartment acting as the bottom of the main compartment, a dispenser at the top of said main compartment, a dip tube extending downward from said dispenser to the top of the gas compartment, and a pressure reducing regulator secured on top of the gas compartment in the main compartment, whereby a decrease of pressure in the main compartment causes opening of the valve to transfer some of the gas from the gas compartment to the main compartment, the main compartments being made of sheet metal and being initially open at the bottom, the gas compartment being made of an inverted sheet metal cup, a sheet metal bottom for both compartments, the lower edges of the two compartments and the outer edge of the bottom being so seamed to one another as to lock the parts in position and to seal both compartments against leakage.

2. An expendable container as defined in claim 1, in which an exposed wall of the high pressure compartment is fitted with a rubber gland through which gas may be loaded by means of a charging needle.

3. An expendable container as defined in claim 1, in which there is an enclosure around and over said regulator, the top of said enclosure carrying a check valve which permits upward but prevents downward flow.

4. An expendable low pressure dispensing container comprising a main compartment for the substance to be dispensed, a smaller gas compartment for a propellant gas secured in said main compartment, a dispenser at the top of said main compartment, a dip tube extending downward from said dispenser, and a springless pressure reducing regulator operating between the gas compartment and the main compartment, said regulator comprising a valve seat, a valve, and a small sealed chamber closed by a flexible diaphragm exposed to the main compartment, said diaphragm being so connected to the valve that a decrease of pressure in the main compartment causes expansion of the diaphragm chamber and opening of the valve to transfer some of the gas from the gas compartment to the main compartment, and a resulting increase in pressure in the main compartment causes contraction of the diaphragm chamber and the resulting movement of the diaphragm itself causes closing of the valve by reason of its aforesaid connection to the valve, said diaphragm being at the top of the chamber and carrying one end of a lever which is pivoted at its other end, said lever being disposed with its middle portion over the valve, and said valve opening upwardly.

5. An expendable low pressure dispensing container comprising a main compartment for the substance to be dispensed, a smaller gas compartment for a propellant gas secured in the lower end of said main compartment with the top of said gas compartment acting as the bottom of the main compartment, a dispenser at the top of said main compartment, a dip tube extending downward from said dispenser to the top of the gas compartment, and a springless pressure reducing regulator secured on top of the gas compartment, said regulator comprising a valve seat, a valve, and a small sealed chamber closed by a flexible diaphragm, said diaphragm being so connected to the valve that a decrease of pressure in the main compartment causes expansion of the diaphragm chamber and opening of the valve to transfer some of the gas from the gas compartment to the main compartment, and a resulting increase in pressure in the main compartment causes contraction of the diaphragm chamber and the resulting movement of the diaphragm itself causes closing of the valve by reason of its aforesaid connection to the valve, said diaphragm being at the top of the chamber and carrying one end of a lever which is pivoted at its other end, said lever being disposed with its middle portion over the valve, and said valve opening upwardly.

6. An expendable low pressure dispensing container comprising a main compartment for the substance to be dispensed, a smaller gas compartment for a propellant gas secured in said main compartment, a dispenser at the top of said main compartment, a dip tube extending downward from said dispenser, and a springless pressure reducing regulator operating between the gas compartment and the main compartment, said regulator comprising a valve seat, a valve, and a small sealed chamber closed by a flexible diaphragm exposed to the main compartment, said diaphragm being so connected to the valve that a decrease of pressure in the main compartment causes expansion of the diaphragm chamber and opening of the valve to transfer some of the gas from the gas compartment to the main compartment, and a resulting increase in pressure in the main compartment causes contraction of the diaphragm chamber and the resulting movement of the diaphragm itself causes closing of the valve by reason of its aforesaid connection to the valve, said valve opening downwardly, said chamber being carried over the valve and having the diaphragm at the bottom, and said diaphragm being connected to the spindle of the valve, whereby expansion of the diaphragm lowers and thereby opens the valve.

7. An expendable low pressure dispensing container comprising a main compartment for the substance to be dispensed, a smaller gas compartment for a propellant gas secured in the lower end of said main compartment with the top of said gas compartment acting as the bottom of the main compartment, a dispenser at the top of said main compartment, a dip tube extending downward from said dispenser to the top of the gas compartment, and a springless pressure reducing regulator secured on top of the gas compartment, said regulator comprising a valve seat, a valve, and a small sealed chamber closed by a flexible diaphragm, said diaphragm being so connected to the valve that a decrease of pressure in the main compartment causes expansion of the diaphragm chamber and opening of the valve to transfer some of the gas from the gas compartment to the main compartment, and a resulting increase in pressure in the main compartment causes contraction of the diaphragm chamber and the resulting movement of the diaphragm itself causes closing of the valve by reason of its aforesaid connection to the valve, said valve opening downwardly, said chamber being carried over the valve between support arms and with the diaphragm at the bottom, and said diaphragm being connected to the spindle of the valve, whereby expansion of the diaphragm lowers and thereby opens the valve.

8. An expendable low pressure dispensing container comprising a main compartment for the substance to be dispensed, a smaller gas compartment for a propellant gas secured in said main compartment, a dispenser at the top of said main compartment, a dip tube extending downward from said dispenser, and a springless pressure reducing regulator operating between the gas compartment and the main compartment, said regulator comprising a valve seat, a valve, and a small sealed chamber closed by a flexible diaphragm exposed to the main compartment, said diaphragm being so connected to the valve that a decrease of pressure in the main compartment causes expansion of the diaphragm chamber and opening of the valve to transfer some of the gas from the gas compartment to the main compartment, and a resulting increase in pressure in the main compartment causes contract-ion of the diaphragm chamber and the resulting movement of the diaphragm itself causes closing of the valve by reason of its aforesaid connection to the valve, said diaphragm being at the top of the chamber and carrying one end of a lever which is pivoted at its other end, said lever being disposed with its middle portion over the valve, said valve opening upwardly, an enclosure around and over said regulator, and the top of said enclosure carrying a check valve which permits upward but prevents downward flow.

9. An expendable low pressure dispensing container comprising a main compartment for the' substance to be dispensed, a smaller gas compartment for a propellant gas secured in the lower end of said main compartment with the top of said gas compartment acting as the bottom of the main compartment, a dispenser at the top of said main compartment, a dip tube extending downward from said dispenser to the top of the gas compartment, and a springless pressure reducing regulator secured on top of the gas compartment, said regulator comprising a valve seat, a valve, and a small sealed chamber closed by a flexible diaphragm, said diaphragm being so connected to the valve that a decrease of pressure in the main compartment causes expansion of the diaphragm chamber and opening of the valve to transfer some of the gas from the gas compartment to the main compartment, and a resulting increase in pressure in the main compartment causes contraction of the diaphragm chamber and the resulting movement of the diaphragm itself causes closing of the valve by reason of its aforesaid connection to the valve, sa-id diaphragm being at the top of the chamber and carrying one end of a lever which is pivoted at its other end, said lever being disposed with its middle portion over the valve, said valve opening upwardly, an enclosure around and over said regulator, and the top of said enclosure carrying a check valve which permits upward but prevents downward flow.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,959,815 5/1934 Corcoran 222-52 3,127,059 3/1964 Lawrence et a1 22252 X 3,132,570 5/1964 Hoffman et al 222-389 LOUIS J. DEMBO, Primary Examiner.

HADD S. LANE, Examiner. 

1. AN EXPENDABLE LOW PRESSURE DISPENSING CONTAINER COMPRISING A MAIN COMPARTMENT FOR THE SUBSTANCE TO BE DISPENSED, A SMALLER GAS COMPARTMENT FOR A PROPELLANT GAS SECURED IN THE LOWER END OF SAID MAIN COMPARTMENT, WITH THE TOP OF SAID GAS COMPARTMENT ACTING AS THE BOTTOM OF THE MAIN COMPARTMENT, A DISPENSER AT THE TOP OF SAID MAIN COMPARTMENT, A DISPENSER AT THE TOP OF SAID SAID DISPENSER TO THE TOP OF THE GAS COMPARTMENT, AND A PRESSURE REDUCING REGULATOR SECURED ON TOP OF THE GAS COMPARTMENT IN THE MAIN COMPARTMENT, WHEREBY A DECREASE OF PRESSURE IN THE MAIN COMPARTMENT CAUSES OPENING OF THE VALVE TO TRANSFER SOME OF THE GAS FROM THE GAS COMPARTMENT TO THE MAIN COMPARTMENT, THE MAIN COMPARTMENTS BEING MADE OF SHEET METAL AND BEING INITIALLY OPEN AT THE BOTTOM, THE GAS COMPARTMENT BEING MADE OF AN INVERTED SHEET METAL CUP, A SHEET METAL BOTTOM FOR BOTH COMPARTMENTS, THE LOWER EDGES OF THE TWO COMPARTMENTS AND THE OUTER EDGE OF THE BOTTOM BEING SO SEAMED TO ONE ANOTHER AS TO LOCK THE PARTS IN POSITION AND TO SEAL BOTH COMPARTMENTS AGAINST LEAKAGE. 